There are between 25 and 40 species in the genus Paeonia, which includes peonies, which are perennially blooming plants found in Western North America, Asia, and Europe. It is currently accepted by scientists that there are 33 species, although there are also over 6,500 cultivars.
Peonies are most famous for their large, fragrant flowers, which come in an amazing array of colours, remarkable hardiness, and long life—they can bloom for up to 50 years!—but they can also give vibrant pops of colour to beds and borders. This post features some of our favourite purple-hued peonies that will provide you with the seasonal flash of colour you’re after!
1. First Arrival
Scientific Name: Paeonia x ‘First Arrival’
Plant Type: Hybrid herbaceous and tree peony
Plant Size: 2-3 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 4-9
The Primary Arrival The early arrival of Itoh Peony in the hybrid peony season gives rise to its popular name. Early to mid-summer is when it blooms. Six to eight inches in diameter, semi-double lavender blooms are produced. Over two weeks, each plant produces about thirty blooms.
The care of this perennial is not too high. After the leaves have fallen, it is crucial to prune the plant in the autumn. This plant doesn’t need to be staked because of its short stems. With foliage like that of tree peonies, these plants die in the autumn, just like herbaceous and hybrid peonies.
2. Morning Lilac
Scientific Name: Paeonia x ‘Morning Lilac’
Plant Type: Hybrid Perennial
Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
The morning lilac Itoh Peony produces crinkled lilac and purple blooms that can be single or semi-double in shape. Vibrant golden stamens flood the flower’s center. Strong stems are required for this plant because the fragrant blooms are typically six to eight inches across.
The foliage is rich and dark green. The Morning Lilac Itoh Peony blossoms early in the season, yielding a large quantity of flowers. These are an uncommon cross between trees and garden peonies.
3. Pastel Splendor
Scientific Name: Paeonia x ‘Pastel Splendor‘
Plant Type: Hybrid perennial
Plant Size: 2-3 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
The Pastel Splendour Peony truly lives up to its name, featuring gorgeous petals that are light pink and lavender with a center of deep purple. It is a mild grower that blooms in the middle of the season. The blooms are typically four to six inches large and provide a light aroma.
From mid-spring to early summer, each plant bears an abundance of blossoms. Full sun is ideal for these peonies. In late autumn, trim the plants and fertilize them in the early spring. During the growing season, they like an average level of water.
4. Visions of Sugar Plums
Scientific Name: Paeonia Itoh ‘Visions of Sugar Plums’
Plant Type: Hybrid Deciduous Perennial
Plant Size: 2-3 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 4-7
The white petals of the Visions of Sugar Plum Peony have subtle purple highlights. The blooms usually have a width of six inches, and as they bloom, the colours change. The flowers have more developed patterns at first and start pastel pink.
Their propensity to bloom in the spring is evidence that these plants thrive in colder regions. Plant this plant in full light with lots of drainage soil for optimal results. Fall pruning is also recommended, and dead blooms should be removed as needed.
5. Peter Brand
Scientific Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Peter Brand’
Plant Type: Deciduous perennial
Plant Size: 3 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
The historical Peter Brand peony has double blooms that begin as a rich red and turn into a stunning purple. The six-inch-wide blooms on this plant are supported by sturdy stems.
You probably won’t need to stake this peony because of those sturdy stems. They can extend out to be roughly three feet broad and three or four feet tall.
6. Nightlife
Scientific Name: Paeonia lactiflora “Black Beauty”
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Plant Size: 3-4 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
If you’re looking for a genuinely black peony, Black Beauty Nightlife Peonies is a great option. Rich, deep foliage is exquisitely complemented by generously abundant, fragrant, double blossoms that are almost black.
The leaves have a burgundy hue when they first emerge. Usually, late spring and early summer are when the blooms first appear. The Nightlife Peony needs to be pruned in the autumn once flowering is over, much like other peonies.
7. Kokuryu Nishiki
Scientific Name: Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Kokuryu-nishiki’
Plant Type: Herbaceous tree perennial
Plant Size: 3-5 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 4-8
This variegated maroon or purple and white peony will add a work of art to your yard. This plant produces semi-double, papery blooms that are quite lovely. Mid-spring and early summer are the best times to see these lovely blooms.
The longevity of a tree peony depends on planting it in the proper location. Full sun and well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients are ideal conditions for these plants. Other than removing faded blossoms and cutting them back in the autumn, they require very little maintenance.
8. Cora Louise
Scientific Name: Paeonia x ‘Cora Louise’
Plant Type: Herbaceous hybrid perennial
Plant Size: 2 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
The Cora Louise peony cultivar belongs to the Itoh group. The world of peonies has just recently welcomed these flowers as hybrids. Itohs are crossbreeds of herbaceous and tree peonies. The light lavender blooms on this shrub are semi-double and measure eight to ten inches in diameter.
The lime green blooms of Cora Louise contrast sharply with the dark green foliage of this plant. This plant requires medium watering and well-drained soil, just like other peonies. This shrub can yield fifty flowers annually. In spring, fertilize your plants annually to promote growth and blooming.
9. Cherry Hill
Scientific Name: Paeonia lactiflora ‘Cherry Hill’
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Size: 4 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-8
The medium-sized, fragrant double blooms of the Cherry Hill Peony are a deep reddish-purple colour. Although it is a peony, this plant blooms early to mid-spring. The plant has stunning foliage the entire season, even when it is not in bloom.
Full to partial light is ideal for planting Cherry Hill peonies. As long as the soil is fertile and drains properly, it can thrive in any type of soil. The full establishment of these plants may take several seasons.
10. Adolphe Rousseau
Scientific Name: Paeonia lactiflora “Adolphe Rousseau”
Plant Type: Hybrid herbaceous perennial
Plant Size: 2-3 feet
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 3-9
The Adolphe Rousseau Chinese Peony produces dark green foliage and deep reddish-purple double flowers. It offers a lovely visual appeal all through the blooming season. Strong stems and an abundance of blooms throughout the season are produced by this plant.
It’s incredibly simple to maintain this peony. For best growth, trim it back in the autumn. Watering the plant too much might be detrimental; therefore, it just needs an average quantity.
11. Cardinal Vaughan
Scientific Name: Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Cardinal Vaughan’
Plant Type: Deciduous tree peony
Plant Size: 5-7 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Partial to full sun
Plant Zone: 5-8
The tree peony known as Cardinal Vaughan can reach a height of several years and develop into a tall, erect shrub. The blooms include semi-double flowers with large, bowl-shaped petals. If planted in the spring or early autumn, these plants require little maintenance.
Reddish-purple is the colour of the blossoms on this plant. Cardinal Vaughn peonies are a striking addition to any garden because of their distinctive colour and striking height. The dark green, bluish-green undersides of the leaves are beautifully complemented by the vivid blossoms.
Conclusion
Purple peonies give your yard a distinctive and striking accent. The flowers of these plants range from lavender to deep purple to reddish purple, and they are available in a variety of forms, sizes, and colours.
You may enjoy these fragrant beauties all season if you only cut them back in the autumn and place them in well-draining soil with lots of sunlight.